CH-148 Cyclone .... consegne in corso ....

[TT-1 Pinto]

Con parecchi anni di ritardo, a causa di numerosi problemi e rinvii, procede lentamente il programma di acquisizione di elicotteri Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone ....

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikorsky_CH-148_Cyclone

 

.... versione militare dello S-92, da parte delle forze armate canadesi.

 

 

Dal blog "Ares" di "Aviation Week & Space Technology" ....

 

Canada Gets Another Cyclone -- But No Handover Yet ....

http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckBlogId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post:11abf357-708a-4842-a773-ffdb1230389e

 

 

Si è trattato di una storia particolarmente tormentata ....

 

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/canada-begins-maritime-helicopter-project-to-replace-sikorsky-ch-124-119422/

 

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/canadas-mhp-stalls-due-to-government-rethink-159255/

 

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-first-flight-for-canadas-cyclone-maritime-helicopter-318995/

 

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/sikorsky-accepts-concessions-to-canada-after-new-ch-148-delays-345477/

 

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/canada-reveals-new-delay-for-interim-ch-148-delivery-357265/

 

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/paris-canadian-cyclone-makes-show-debut-358287/

 

 

Tale programma sostituì quello relativo all'acquisto di un cospicuo numero di EH101 cancellato, a fine 1993, a seguito di una delle tante, chiamiamole così, 'particolari' decisioni politiche canadesi ....

 

http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1993/1993%20-%202171.PDF

 

http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1993/1993%20-%202711.PDF

 

http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1993/1993%20-%202854.PDF

 

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/eh101-compensation-for-unisys-26953/

 

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/canada-pays-price-for-cancellation-of-eh101-order-19396/

 

 

Una disamina del controverso programma da parte di "Defense Industry Daily" ....

 

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Canadas-CH-148-Cyclones-Better-Late-Than-Never-05223/

[Agustaman]

 

Tale programma sostituì quello relativo all'acquisto di un cospicuo numero di EH101 cancellato, a fine 1993, a seguito di una delle tante, chiamiamole così, 'particolari' decisioni politiche canadesi ....

 

 

 

... che ricordi. Ai tempi mi sono fatto qualche settimana in Canada in dicembre, gelandomi quasi le orecchie una volta che avevo provato a fare un giro per Ottawa dopo il lavoro, e dopo aver fatto un sacco di lavoro ci siamo becccati 150M$ (se non ricordo male) per non dargli un chiodo. Poi si sono comprati lo stesso il Cormoran, e per non darci la soddisfazione di prendercelo anche come antisom (anche se era il migliore) si sono beccati questa inc...aprettata, per avere ancor auna macchina non operativa quasi 20 anni dopo. E intanto c'erano gli SH3 che cascavano come mosche o non erano disponibili per mancanza di ricambi. Poi ci lamentiamo dei politici italiani...

[TT-1 Pinto]

E la saga continua ....

 

Canada and Sikorsky Still Circling on Cyclone ....

 

Canada and Sikorsky continue to work at the mess that is the CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopter program.

 

Fonte .... http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckBlogId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post:7f15427e-614f-4697-a675-42bce1a7dd6d

 

 

"Mess" .... significa forse .... casino ?

[Vultur]

Ammazza sembra costruito con le Lego!

[Agustaman]

Perché avranno messo un carico expendable così dietro il baricentro... capisco sfruttare la struttura che tiene il carrello, ma quando lanciano i siluri si strimmerà di brutto. E' anche vero che con l'AFCS digitale non te ne frega molto, ma in caso di guasto è una complicazione in più. Probabilmente contano sulla ridondanza e pregano che non si verifichi mai. Anche l'antenna del radar avrà le sue belle limitazioni rispetto al 101, e immagino anche numero e dimensioni delle postazioni interne, credo ci sia un bel mess anche all'interno...

[TT-1 Pinto]

Hopeful ....

 

Sikorsky “hopeful” on resolution of Canadian helo contract impasse ....

 

Sikorsky chief executive Mick Mauer says he believes that a compromise remains likely on dead-locked negotiations over a contract to supply 28 maritime patrol helicopters (MHP) to the Canadian government.

 

Fonte .... http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/heli-expo-sikorsky-hopeful-on-resolution-of-canadian-helo-contract-impasse-383078/

 

Com'è che si dice ?

 

"Chi vive sperando" .... con tutto quel che segue ....

 

[TT-1 Pinto]

Intanto .... nuovi problemi per gli ormai decrepiti Sea Kings .... che a fine mese festeggeranno i 50 anni di servizio in Canada ....

 

All Sea King helicopters grounded after N.S. accident .... Blades of rotor sheared off after landing at base near Halifax ....

 

All Canadian Sea King helicopters have been grounded pending an investigation into an incident late Monday night at a Canadian Forces Base near Halifax, the Department of National Defence has announced.

 

Fonte .... http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2013/07/16/ns-sea-king-helicopter-damaged.html

 

Inoltre ....

 

http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/1142335-mishap-grounds-sea-king-choppers

 

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/07/16/sea_king_helicopter_damaged_after_toppling_over_on_halifax_runway.html

 

 

Un anno fa .... http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/117066-sea-king-will-do-its-duty-until-relieved-on-station

 

 

[TT-1 Pinto]

Questa è troppo bella .... dopo una lunga catena di ritardi .... ora il governo canadese si rivolge addirittura ad un consulente esterno per sapere se Sikorsky sarà in grado di onorare il contratto ....

 

Sea King helicopter replacement hits a new snag ....

 

Ottawa hires consultant to study if Sikorsky can deliver promised helicopters ....

 

"I have employed the services of an independent consultant and contractor to undertake a review of the ability of this company to deliver this to the government," (Public Works Minister Rona) Ambrose said.

 

Fonte .... http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2013/06/25/pol-sea-king-replacement-contract-sikorsky.html

 

[TT-1 Pinto]

In attesa dei "Cicloni" ....

 

[TT-1 Pinto]

E, mentre continuano ad aspettare i "Cicloni", stanno tuttora continuando anche le indagini sull'incidente del 15 Luglio ....

 

Canada continues Sea King accident investigation ....

 

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) is still investigating the cause of an accident in July that led to the temporary grounding of its Sikorsky SH-3A (CH-124A/B in Canadian service) Sea King utility and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter fleet, a spokesperson told IHS Jane's on 23 September.

 

Fonte .... http://www.janes.com/article/27341/canada-continues-sea-king-accident-investigation

[TT-1 Pinto]

E il Canada continua a rimuginare .... su quali alternative ha di fronte a seguito del disastroso affare "Cyclone" ....

 

Canada mulls Cyclone alternatives ....

 

Canada's purchase of maritime helicopters for its air force has lurched from bad to worse with the revelation that it may abandon its existing deal with Sikorsky and reopen the acquisition process.

 

Four CH-148s produced to an interim standard are stationed at the air force's 12 Wing Shearwater base.

However, no flight activities are taking place with the aircraft.

 

Fonte .... http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/canada-mulls-cyclone-alternatives-391252/

[TT-1 Pinto]

Il rimuginìo, a quanto pare, è terminato .... ed hanno dunque deciso di tenerseli ....

 

Canada continues CH-148 deliveries with Sikorsky deal ....

The Canadian government has decided to continue delayed deliveries of the Sikorsky CH-148 maritime helicopter.

The decision announced on 3 January means ends months of internal debate over whether to cancel the Canadian dollar (C$) 5 billion ($4.7 billion) programme and perhaps acquire a new aircraft.

 

Fonte .... http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/canada-continues-ch-148-deliveries-with-sikorsky-deal-394545/

 

Il comunicato ufficiale .... "Government of Canada to continue with Maritime Helicopter Project and begin retiring Sea Kings in 2015" .... http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do;jsessionid=ac1b105430d87bd56615fb64460fa226c9f5d2c6cf92.e34Rc3iMbx8Oai0Tbx0SaxqMb3v0?mthd=tp&crtr.page=1&nid=806659&crtr.tp1D=1

 

 

Fully capable Cyclone helicopters aren’t expected until 2018 — a decade after they were first supposed to be delivered.

 

Fonte .... http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1177361-ottawa-cyclone-choppers-will-fly

 

 

The “worst procurement in the history of Canada” has suffered another setback, with Ottawa announcing it now plans to get its long-awaited fleet of maritime helicopters in 2018, or 10 years behind schedule.

 

Fonte .... http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/despite-delays-ottawa-presses-ahead-with-cyclone-chopper-deal/article16192640/

 

.... e via discorrendo ....

 

[TT-1 Pinto]

E' vero .... oltre alle "americanate" .... ci sono pure le "canadesate" ....

 

"Tories have spent $1.7 billion on troubled Cyclones, making them too big to fail" .... http://www.mysask.com/portal/site/main/template.MAXIMIZE/?javax.portlet.tpst=635b2ff202604ea181fa421740315ae8_ws_MX&javax.portlet.prp_635b2ff202604ea181fa421740315ae8_viewID=story&javax.portlet.prp_635b2ff202604ea181fa421740315ae8_topic_display_name=National%20News&javax.portlet.prp_635b2ff202604ea181fa421740315ae8_topic_name=National&javax.portlet.prp_635b2ff202604ea181fa421740315ae8_news_item_id_key=26763309&javax.portlet.begCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken&javax.portlet.endCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken

 

 

 

[TT-1 Pinto]

Che affarone !!!!

 

 

United Technologies (UTC) has warned that Canadian Maritime Helicopter (CMH) programme will face another in a long series of cost overruns and schedule delays.

 

Fonte .... "Sikorsky losses grow on CH-148 contract" .... http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/sikorsky-losses-grow-on-ch-148-contract-398457/

 

Inoltre .... "Ottawa, Sikorsky set new terms for Cyclone choppers" .... http://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/technology/ottawa-sikorsky-agree-new-terms-cyclone-choppers-sources-136600

 

Questo disastrato programma .... soltanto di una cosa ha un gran bisogno .... un adeguato SOCCORSO AEREO ....

 

[TT-1 Pinto]

Meglio (molto) tardi ..... che mai .....

 

 

The Royal Canadian Air Force has accepted delivery of its first six Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone maritime patrol helicopters, marking a major step forward for the Sea King replacement programme that has a “torturous history”.

Two more helicopters are due to arrive at the Shearwater operating base in Nova Scotia this December, and the full tranche of 28 Cyclones will be in place by 2021, Canadian defence minister Jason Kenney said at a ceremony 19 June.

The first six choppers arrive amid a hurricane of displeasure in Canada over the handling of the various Sea King replacement efforts, the latest of which – the Cyclone programme – started in 2004 but was beset by technical issues, delays, cost growth and contract revisions.

 

Fonte ..... "Canada accepts first six Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclones" ..... http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/canada-accepts-first-six-sikorsky-ch-148-cyclones-413896/

[TT-1 Pinto]

Ogni giorno ..... una nuova .....

 

..... a questo punto ..... non si sa più se ... ... o ...

Sikorksy Aircraft has begun delivering the first of its new Cyclone maritime helicopters to Canada, but the aircrafts' engines aren't capable of fully meeting the requirements.

The helicopters being delivered under the CAN $5.7 billion program (US $5.4 billion) will need to be upgraded over the next three to six years. The upgrades will include electronic systems and engines.

 

Fonte ..... "Canada's Newest Copter Needs Engine Upgrade" ..... http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/2015/06/27/canada-first-sikorsky-cyclone-maritime-helicopters-delivered-need-engine-upgrades/29219123/

 

[TT-1 Pinto]

E' da parecchio tempo che questa discussione non viene aggiornata ...

Ho trovato in rete questo articolo, in verità non molto recente, di fonte canadese ... il cui contenuto è assai eloquente ...

 

... Cyclone helicopters to reach full operating capability in 2025: DND ...

 

Mancano dunque ancora ben otto anni per il raggiungimento della piena capacità operativa ... http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/business-equipment/maritime-helicoper.page ...

[TT-1 Pinto]

Tutto va ben ...

 

CBCnews ... Air force grounds Cyclone helicopters after training incident ...

 

CTVNEWS ... Air force grounds Cyclone military helicopter fleet after issue during descent ...

 

 

 

[TT-1 Pinto]

Cosa dicono le ultime notizie?

Che, a quaranta giorni dal fatto, non sono ancora riusciti a determinarne le cause e ... continuano a grattarsi la testa ...

 

The Royal Canadian Air Force and Sikorsky appear no closer to finding the root cause of a failure with a flight control computer that has left its fleet of CH-148 Cyclone maritime patrol helicopters grounded since 10 March.

 

Fonte: Flightglobal ... ​Sikorsky and RCAF no closer to finding fault on Cyclones ...

 

 

 

[TT-1 Pinto]

Avrebbe (la forma dubitativa è d'obbligo ) ricominciato a volare ...

 

FlightGlobal ... Canada's Cyclone helicopters return to limited flying ...

 

 

[TT-1 Pinto]

E' da un pò di tempo che mancavano notizie ... eccone ora una nuova !!!

La 'palla' del sonar, fuoriuscendo leggermente dal fondo della fusoliera dell'elicottero, interferisce con le operazioni di appontaggio sulle navi ...

Testing of some of Canada’s new navy helicopters has hit a snag.

The Canadian Forces says a sonar system used by some CH-148 Cyclones must be removed before the helicopters are allowed to land on ships.

The military said in an email that the sonars risk being bumped by a landing system that tethers the helicopter to the ship.

The sonar system, which is typically lowered into the water for use, protrudes slightly from the bottom of the helicopter after it has been reeled into the fuselage.

“The protrusion from the base of the helicopter introduces a risk of the sonar striking the C-RAST (landing system) during a ship landing,” wrote Maj. Holly-Anne Brown.

“Due to this interference, the … aircraft is not cleared to conduct embarked operations with the sonar installed.”

Fonte: globalnews.ca ... Cyclone problem: Sonar snafu a challenge for Canada’s new navy helicopters ...

Indubbiamente si tratta dell'ennesimo 'trionfo' del duo LM-Sikorsky in questo interminabile affaire dai contorni ormai paradossali ...

[TT-1 Pinto]

A margine dello specifico argomento trattato nella discussione ...

Mamma Lockheed ... ci prova ...

Lockheed Martin Corp. is asking the Pentagon for $212 million toward restructuring costs for its $9 billion acquisition of Sikorsky Aircraft, saying the purchase will save taxpayers $8 in efficiencies for every $1 spent, as a defense agency questions whether the deal is eligible.

Defense Department agencies are auditing the claim, which would be applied to contracts with Lockheed’s Rotary and Mission Systems unit over the next five years.

Lockheed, the biggest U.S. government contractor, acquired helicopter maker Sikorsky from United Technologies Corp. in 2015.

“It’s not a deal per se, but it is the first merger-related issue the new administration has to address,” said Byron Callan, a defense business analyst for Capital Alpha Partners LLC.

Pentagon regulations provide for reimbursing restructuring costs if projected savings exceed $2 on every $1 spent.

But the Defense Contract Management Agency has said Lockheed’s “rationale for proposed savings does not appear to meet” the required “definition of external restructuring activities.”

Fonte: bloomberg.com ... Lockheed Wants Pentagon to Help Pay Its Costs to Absorb Sikorsky ...

[TT-1 Pinto]

Intanto ... i Sea King della Costa Orientale sono andati finalmente in pensione ...

Canada's fleet of geriatric Sea King military helicopters has finally reached its long overdue retirement on the East Coast, and the Royal Canadian Air Force is making sure the venerable, snub-nosed workhorse gets a proper send-off after 54 years of service.

--- --- ---

"We are now downing tools on Sea King operations on the East Coast so we can put our full efforts into transitioning aircrew and technicians to the new Cyclone," said Col. Sid Connor, wing commander at 12 Wing Shearwater.

"It's bittersweet for the technicians and aircrew here at 12 Wing."

Dovranno però passare ancora alcuni mesi prima che almeno un CH-148 possa essere considerato 'completamente operativo' ed altri tre anni affinché venga raggiunta la piena disponibilità di tutte le nuove macchine ... sempre che non sorgano ulteriori 'imprevisti' ...

The first "interim" CH-148 Cyclone arrived at Shearwater in May 2011.

But that model was for ground-based training only.

Connor said the Royal Canadian Air Force now has eight Cyclones.

He said he expects to have one fully operational within the next six months.

The remainder of the helicopters are expected to be fully operational by 2021.

Fonte: atlantic.ctvnews.ca ... East Coast says farewell to the Sea King, Canada's Cold War workhorse ...

[TT-1 Pinto]

I problemi col sonar imbarcato ... e cosa pensano di fare per risolverli ...

Back in December the Canadian Press news agency had a story revealing a new series of problems affecting the RCAF’s new maritime helicopter, the CH-148 Cyclone, and its sonar system.

The article outlined how the sonar system used by some CH-148 Cyclones must be removed before the helicopters are allowed to land on ships.

The RCAF has provided additional information to Defence Watch about what caused the problems and what is being done about those issues ...

Fonte: ottawacitizen.com ... Attempt to improve Cyclone helicopter caused problems related to sonar equipment ...

[TT-1 Pinto]

Tu chiamala se vuoi ... FACCIA TOSTA ...

Sikorsky plans to offer Canada its S-92 civilian helicopter for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s search and rescue operations, hoping to make a case that it’s cheaper to buy new rather than upgrade the existing fleet of Leonardo’s Cormorant rotary aircraft.

The Royal Canadian Air Force is currently introducing into service the Cyclone maritime helicopter, a military variant of Sikorsky’s S-92.

It also operates a fleet of 14 Cormorants for search and rescue.

That helicopter, a variant of the EH-101, is built by Leonardo, formerly AgustaWestland.

The service is now working on a project to modernize its search and rescue fleet, but it has yet to decide whether to buy new aircraft or upgrade the Cormorants.

Depending on its decision, the cost of the project would range from CA$500 million to CA$1.5 billion (U.S. $391 million to U.S. $1.2 billion).

Fonte: defensenews.com ... Sikorsky’s pitch for Canada: Our new helos are cheaper than upgrading yours ...